Chin Mee Chin Confectionery Opens First Outlet at NEX Mall food after 100 Years

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is opening it’s first-ever branch outside Katong at NEX mall in Serangoon. The Silicon Review reports on the 100-year-old brand's Q3 2026 expansion and its beloved kaya toast and retro bakes.

Chin Mee Chin Confectionery, the 100-year-old heritage coffee shop beloved for its house-made kaya toast and nostalgic bakes, is opening it’s first-ever branch outside its original Katong home. The new outlet will be located at NEX mall food in Serangoon Central, near one of Serangoon MRT station's exits, and is slated to open in the third quarter of 2026.

Founded in 1925 along East Coast Road, Chin Mee Chin became a Singaporean institution famous for its old-school teatime fare, marble-topped tables, and traditional sock-brewed kopi. The original shop shuttered in 2018 due to manpower issues and a lack of succession planning. In 2021, the brand was revived by F&B Company Ebb & Flow Group, which also runs casual Italian chain Casa Vostra. The group's co-founder and CEO Lim Kian Chun, who knew the family behind Chin Mee Chin as neighbours, reached an agreement to bring the iconic brand back to life.

The NEX mall location marks a significant milestone in Chin Mee Chin's 101-year history it will be the confectionery's first outlet outside the Katong neighbourhood. The original East Coast Road flagship will continue operating alongside the new Serangoon location.

Fans can expect all the signatures that made Chin Mee Chin a household name. The menu will feature the confectionery's signature house-made lemak kaya slathered on toasted buns, alongside old-school bakes such as cream horns, chiffon cakes, and luncheon meat buns. Newer items introduced after the 2021 revival, including kaya French toast, are also expected to be available.

Last year, the eatery celebrated its 100th anniversary, which coincided with Singapore's 60th birthday (SG60), with a series of activities over three months. It also introduced a new menu as well as exclusive merchandise.

By the third quarter of 2026, the NEX outlet will be fully operational, bringing Chin Mee Chin's century-old flavours to heartlanders for the first time. The expansion is seen as a strategic move by Ebb & Flow Group to introduce the heritage brand to a wider audience while preserving its nostalgic charm.

The Silicon Review's analysis indicates that Chin Mee Chin's expansion beyond Katong reflects a broader trend of heritage F&B brands in Singapore scaling up while maintaining authenticity. The brand's successful revival under Ebb & Flow Group balancing tradition with new offerings like kaya French toast offers a replicable model for other heritage eateries navigating the tension between preservation and growth.

Q: Where is Chin Mee Chin Confectionery opening its new outlet?
A: Chin Mee Chin Confectionery is opening it’s first-ever branch outside Katong at NEX mall in Serangoon Central, near one of Serangoon MRT station's exits.

Q: When will the new Chin Mee Chin outlet at NEX mall open?
A: The new outlet is slated to open in the third quarter of 2026. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.

Q: What menu items will be available at the new Chin Mee Chin outlet?
A: The menu will feature signature items including house-made lemak kaya toast, cream horns, chiffon cakes, luncheon meat buns, as well as newer items like kaya French toast introduced after the 2021 revival.

Q: Is the original Chin Mee Chin outlet in Katong still open?
A: Yes. The original East Coast Road flagship will continue operating. The NEX outlet is a second location, not a replacement.

Q: Who revived the Chin Mee Chin brand after its 2018 closure?
A: The brand was revived in 2021 by F&B Company Ebb & Flow Group, which also runs casual Italian chain Casa Vostra. The group co-founder Lim Kian Chun knew the family behind Chin Mee Chin and negotiated the revival.

Q: Why did Chin Mee Chin close in 2018?
A: The original Chin Mee Chin Confectionery closed in 2018 due to manpower issues and a lack of succession planning within the founding family.